There’s a huge week of high-class racing ahead of us at the Aintree Festival.
Aintree Festival 2024
We look at the race schedule for the three days at the Aintree Festival 2024, before Jamie Radford picks out some of the most eye-catching entries and his two favourite bets for the week.
Aintree Festival Race Times
| Aintree Day 1 Races | Aintree Day 2 Races | Aintree Day 3 Races |
|---|---|---|
| 13:45: Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1) | 13:45: Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) | 13:20: Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) |
| 14:20: Boodles Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) | 14:20: William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) | 13:55: Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) |
| 14:55: Aintree Bowl (Grade 1) | 14:55: Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) | 14:30: William Hill Handicap Chase (Grade 3) |
| 15:30: Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) | 15:30: Melling Chase (Grade 1) | 15:05: JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) |
| 16:05: Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase | 16:05: Topham Chase (Grade 3) | 16:00: Randox Grand National Chase (Grade 3) |
| 16:40: Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 16:40: Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) | 17:00: Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) |
| 17:15: Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat (Grade 2) | 17:15: Lydiate Handicap Hurdle | 17:35: Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) |
Aintree Festival 2024 Entries
Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle – Sir Gino
One of two high profile entries on Thursday for Nicky Henderson and the Donnelly's, Sir Gino comes here as 5/4 favourite after swerving Cheltenham. Once a strong odds-on shot for the Triumph Hurdle, Sir Gino didn't take up his engagement on account of the worrying form of the Seven Barrows yard.
Throughout the week, Henderson's runners consistently ran below par, something which prompted a high number of withdrawals in the final few days.
Although he's only had six runners in the last two weeks, his most recent one, Easy Peasy, was a comfortable three-length winner and it is hoped that the issues have been resolved. However, the lingering doubt contributes to his price of odds against despite his undoubted ability and freshness.
Aintree Bowl - Shishkin
Shishkin is another high profile runner from the Henderson yard. He is also the reigning winner of the Aintree Bowl (3/1 this week) having defeated Aintree specialist Ahoy Senor by a length and a half last April.
The son of Sholokhov has endured a difficult season having refused to race at Ascot before slipping and unseating his rider when likely to win the King George. Having now missed the Festival, connections will be keen to take this opportunity to gain a deserved Grade 1 this season.
Aintree Hurdle - Bob Olinger and Impaire Et Passe
Both these Ballymore winners skipped the Festival this year and both return to the trip they gained Festival success over. Bob Olinger is actually a dual Festival winner having been fortunate enough to compensate in the 2022 Turners after Galopin Des Champs fell at the final flight.
After a turbulent season last year, he has returned to something like his best with two Grade 2 wins before finishing 2nd in the Irish Champion Hurdle behind Festival winner State Man.
Impaire Et Passe was back in third that day and he arrived with something to prove having been beaten in all three starts this season. Both arrive here for the Aintree Hurdle fresh and both are fascinating contenders.
Top Novices' Hurdle - Caldwell Potter and Dysart Enos
Although the Irish have the top three in the market, it is the two English runners Caldwell Potter and Dysart Enos who catch the eye in the Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle.
The former fetched €740,000 to become the most expensive jumps horse of all time when sold in February. However, his Grade 1 win over Christmas has taken some knocks after 2nd place Predators Gold was a beaten favourite at the Dublin Racing Festival before being beaten out of sight in the Ballymore at Cheltenham.
Dysart Enos was an Aintree Festival winner last April running out a nine-length winner of the Nickel Coin Mares' Bumper. Interestingly, the horse in 2nd that day, Golden Ace, went on to win the Dawn Run Mares' Novices Hurdle at the Festival last month beating Irish hotpot Brighterdaysahead.
That forms looks strong, especially with Jade De Grugy winning the Grade 1 at Fairyhouse and she catches the eye against the boys coming here fresh.
Melling Chase - Pic D'Orhy
The Trainers’ Championship title race is nearly as exciting as the Premier League's and Paul Nicholls will be hoping that Pic D'Orhy can collect the £140,000 for winning the Melling Chase.
He ran out a four-length winner of the race last year and has returned this year in excellent form most recently winning the Grade 1 Ascot Chase when beating L'Homme Presse and Ahoy Senor.
As he did last year, he comes here fresh and hasn't finished outside the top two on his last eight starts, winning six of them.
Grand National - Corach Rambler
No need to make any introductions here with the reigning Grand National champion lining up again in this year’s renewal to defend his crown. Although his run last year was off the back of a Cheltenham Festival success, he arguably comes here in better form having finished 3rd in the Gold Cup.
He finished in front of 168 rated L'Homme Presse and 170 rated Bravemansgame that day and is 3lb well in at the weights having been raised 3lb by the handicapper to 162. He has been tremendously well backed in recent weeks and has every chance of defending his crown.
Aintree Festival Tips
The 2m 4f handicap hurdle on Friday looks a race of interest for me. Although Dan Skelton's Boombawn is avoided at your own peril, both MAKING HEADWAY and FIRST STREET are horses I have been interested in for a long time.
The former has longed looked ready for a step up in trip and was going to be a bet for me in the Martin Pipe if he ran. He was last seen finished a running on 4th in the Imperial Cup behind Go Dante and Faivoir.
1pt win Making Headway @ 14/1
First Street was a bet I put up for the Coral Cup before being withdrawn on account of the worrying Henderson stable form. Similar comments apply for him regarding the trip and he's been dropped 9lb since last spring and has recently had a wind op.
